Even though the symptoms of different chronic illnesses vary widely, kids and families dealing with any chronic condition have a lot in common. Approximately 15% to 18% of children in the United States live with a chronic health condition. Learning to live with a chronic condition can be very challenging for a child, for parents, and for siblings and friends. Parents have to balance an already full life with uncertainty about their child’s future, medical costs, treatments and/or hospitalizations. Children with chronic illnesses may experience treatments are scary or painful. Siblings may receive less attention than they would if their brother or sister didn’t have a chronic condition. Extended family and friends sometimes struggle to know what to say. For everyone involved, a child’s chronic illness be frightening and even isolating.
But a chronic illness can have a positive impact on the people as well, helping them discover new strengths and sources of hope. Families sometimes report feeling closer as a result of the child’s illness and less likely to focus on the things in life that are not important. But in order to create space for positive growth, family members need to have their basic practical, informational, financial and social support needs met. Tombolo strives to help families meet their needs and thrive.
Here are some facts about the scope of the need in Minnesota:
- An estimated 79,784 children in MN receive health care services at home that is provided by their families.
- 12,821 or 16% of those children require at least 11 hours per week of care at home.
- 41% of the families reported financial problems due to the child’s health care needs are reported for an estimated 32,450 of the children.
- Nearly half, or 37,445 of the children’s conditions, have causedfamily members to cut back or stop working to care for their child at home.
- Minnesota families we less likely to get the necessary supportservices than most other states
- Failure to address mental health issues in parents negatively impacts child functioning at home, school and in the community.
Click here to read the original fact sheet prepared by the Minnesota Department of Health.
